Machine fob making spherical articles



I G. J. THOMPSON.

MACHINE FOR MAKING SPHERICAL ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.25| I919.

Patented Apr. 19, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

9% Ms W I 1 1 5 m A y QM R&4\\ @x u n mw F W m. m 1 L 1 Q 3mm t1 1Maia/1 1M 11 G. J. THOMPSON.

MACHINE FOR MAKING SPHERICAL ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-25' I919.

Patented Apr. 19, 1921.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2- G. I Tomps G. J. THOMPSON.

MACHINE FOR MAKING SPHERICAL ARTICLES. I

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- awe/whom, floirz hsoia m a. Q. M,

arm m Patented Apr. 19, 1921.

G. J. THOMPSON.

MACHINE FOR MAKING SPHERICAL ARTICLES. APPLICATION FILED Aue.25, 1919.

1,374,966. Patented Apr. 19, 192K.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

GAROLD J. THOMPSON, OF CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSZGNOR TO GLAMARMACHINE COMPANY, A CGRPOR-ATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

MACHINE FOR MAKING SPHEEICAL ARTICLES.

Application filed August 25, 1919.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GAROLD J. THoMrsoN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ciarlrsburg, in the county of Harrison and State of VestVirginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines forIll-airing Spherical Articles, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to machines for making" spherical articles such asballs, marbles,

and the like from a molten or moldable mass of glass or other substance.

The object of the invention is to produce a machine of the classreferred to which will enable such articles to be raoidly made andaccurately shaped while the portions of the mass yet in a pliable state,the articles gradually cooling during the shaping operation so tiat theywill retain their shape upon delivery thereof from the machine.

l ith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of thefeatures of construction, combination and arrangement of partshereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of themachine with parts omitted at the adjacent side thereof,

F 2 is a plan view of the turntable, omitting the superstructure,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail plan view of a portion of the turntable,one of the rolls and the associated cutting mechanism,

Fig. is a vertical section of the melting pot br container, and theheating means therefor,

is a detail section taken substantially on line -5 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the container and the heatin ket line 8'8 ofFig. 3,

is detail view of the pneumatic levies and parts associated therewith.machine embodies turntable 1 rotating on a vertical spindle 2, journaledin a base 3 and supported on antifrict on ball bearings l, the turntablebeing driven by suitable means such as a belt 5 passing around a pulley6 on the spindle 2 and actuated by any suitable motive power, (notshown).

8 is a detail section taken substan- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 19, 1921. Serial No. 319,551.

The turntable 1 is formed in its upper face with a plurality ofarticle-shaping convolute channels 7 substantially half round in crosssection, starting near the center and terminating near the rim of theturntable, as shown. At its outer end, each groove communicates with adischarge out let 7 leading downward through the table. Abovetheturntable are shaping rolls 8 having spiral article-shaping channels 9which correspond in shape with thechannels 7 in cross section and alwaysregister with said channel 7, as the spherical articles are movedoutwardly from the central part of the turntable toward the peripherythereof by the conjoint action of the turntable and rolls.

The rolls 8 are tapering, gradually and uniformly tapering from end toend, being largest at their outer ends and thereby pro viding foraccelerated movement of the article being shaped, and, further, actingto gradually and evenly compress the article during its travel radiallyof the turntable and outward from the center thereof to the dischargeopenings of the same. Each roll 8 is driven at a predetermined ratio ofspeed with respect to the turntable by said turntable, the latter, forthat purpose having near its margin a gear face 10 which drives a gear11 on a short horizontal shaft 12 carrying also a pinion 13 meshing witha gear let on the arbor 15 of the respective roll 8. Each arbor 15 islongitudinally adjustable and held by means of a bearing 16 on apedestal or support 17, collars 18 fast on the arbor at opposite sidesof the bearing 16, and a yoke 19 having adjusting screws 20 which bearagainst loose collars or Washers 21 working in contact with the collars18. By adjustment of the screws 20 the shaping channels of the rolls 8may be caused to register exactly with the shaping channels of theturntable.

Above the turntable and rolls is a superstructure including an overheadbeam or support 22 and hangers 23 carrying a heat ing jacket or drum 2%inclosing a pot or container 25 for the molten mass from which thearticles are made. The jacket 24 contains more heaters or burners 26supplied by one or more fuel feed pipes 27, the proclucts of combustionpassing upward through one or more fines 28.

The container 25 has one or more filling nozzles or openings 29 in thetop thereof into the proper channel and a plurality of outlets eachcontrolled by a gate or valve 31 shown in the form of a slide movablethrough a guioe 32 on the bottom of the container, the degree of openingmovement oi said gate being governed by an adjustable stop screw 33.

The means for operating the gates 31 and severing portions of theoutflowing mass comprises in conjunction with each gate and the adjacentroll 8, a pneumatic cutting-off, device 8% shown in the form or shearscarried by or provided with a guide member 3% slidable radially withrespect to the center of the turntable on a substantially horizontalguide 35 supported by and extending from a center bearing 36 in whichthe inner ends ot the roll arbors 16 are journaled. Compressed air isfurnished to the cuttingoff de *ices through flexible tubes 37 from acompressed supply (not shown) each device being suspended by a flexiblysupported arm or hanger Attached to and movable with each cutting-oftdevice 3 lis the upper section 39 of a tunnel or chute, the lowersection 10 of which is mounted for tilting movement on pivot ti on asupport ing arm 42 projecting from the center bearing 36. A funneltilting member l3 is pivotally attached to each funnel section and has apin or projection ll working in a camway so in the center of theturntable l. The design of the can'iway is such as to cause the twosections of the tunnel to register ust as the cutting-oil operationoccurs, and so as to direct the cut-oil portion of the mass '7 of theturntable.

Each cutting-oft de :ce shifted bacl:

and forth bye pull and thrust bar d6 attendin from the adjacent pedestalr support 1'4. Er valve trigger or worker arm 51 is pivotally mounted onthe adjacent guide 35. One arm of the trigger is coupled to the funnel239 by an adjusting link 52, while the other arm of said trigger ismovable to engage a pin or projection which brings about the shearingoperation of the respective cutting-oil device 3 The pin may, forexample. control or form the stern of a spring-closed air inlet andoutlet valve or" said cutting-off oevice. is the cutting-oil de rice 3%:and tunnel 39 are moved inwardly or forwardly, the valve actuating armof the trigger 51, which is normally raised above the position shown inFig. 9, is depressed by the action of the link 52 and thereby caused toengage and depress the member 51, thus opening the valve for the supplyof fluidpressure to operate the shears 34. The shears thus sever thebatch of glass ted through the cooperative outlet 30, the severedportion of the glass dropping into the alined tunnel or chute sectionsand into a forming groove of the turntable. On the backward movement ofthe shears and funsection SS, the linl: 52 raises the valve actuatingarm of the trigger 51, allowing the valve to close or to sequentoperation. stood that at each of the cutting-ell be reset for the sub-It will thus be underbacl and forth movement device, the tunnel or chutes properly set to direct a severed portion of he in -es into the propershaping char ucl oLt turntable, and the shears are caused to ate to theportion of glass fed the outlet 3a. It will be underat the completedballs or spheres disthe openings T onto the ole is to be understood thatin practice, I employ any well-known or preferred cutting-off device perso, such as l type in common use and patented J. Miller. of Colleyville,Kansas, 1, 1910, or

*0. 950,98, dated March other desired construction or cutting-off 1'echanism. 1 however, to employ one in which pivotal shear blades arecoupled inder and piston actuated by comand wherein a suitable valvewhich may be controlled by a device oi the kind prerer,

b disclosed, no. the outlet and exhaust of compressed air to effect theoperation of the s: s he specific construction of the within cerits, tothe p oper disclosure of my 11, l have not deemed it necessary to anvparticular kind in detail, as

for the purpose may be used. drawings illustrate tour rolls 8 machinepherical for making s plurality of rolls mounted above said table torotate each on a substantially horizontal axis and havin a spiralshaping channel registering with the channels in the turntable means forimparting motion to said turntable and rolls molten container superposedabove said table, and feeding means for delivering portions oi said massintermittentl to the sh aping channels of the turntable, the turntablehaving an outlet opening at the terminal of coca of said channelstherein for the delivery of the completed articles therefrom.

10. In a machine for making spherical articles from a molten mass, thecombination of a turntable having a plurality ol convolute shapingchannels in its upper face a plurality of rolls mountec above said tableto rotate each on a substantially herizonta axis and having spiralshaping clianiels registering with the channels in the turntable, means"for imparting motion to said turntable and rolls, a molten masscontainer superposed above said feeding neans for delivering portions ofsaid mass intermittently to the shaping channels ot the turntable, saidmeans including a gate con trolling an outlet from the container. and anintermittently operated cutting-oil device tor said mass.

11. In a machine for making articles from a mo ten mass, the tion of aturntable havin' a plurality o'l' convolut shapin hannels in upper faceand each having disclnirge opening at one of the terminals thereof rollsmounted aoove said table to rot-at n a substantiall horizontal axis andeach having a spiral shaping channel registering with the channels insaid turntable means for imparting motion to said turntable and rolls,and a molten mass container superposed above said turntable and havingdischarge outlets for delivering portions of the mass to the shapingchannels of said turntable.

12. In a machine for making spherical articles from a molten mass thecombination of a turntable having a plurality of convolute shapingchannels in its upper face and each having a discharge opening at one ofthe terminals thereof, tapering rolls mounted above said table to rotateon substantially horizontal axis and each having a spiral shapingchannel registering with the channels in said turntable, means forimparting motion to said turntable and rolls, and a molten masscontainer s perposed above said turntable and ha 'ing discharge outletsfor delivering portions of the mass to the shaping channels o1 saitturntable.

13. In a machine for making spherical articles s plierical combina-Ironi a molten mass, the combination of a turntable having a pluralityof convolute shaping channels in its upper face and each havin a dischare o iemn at one of the terminals thereof, inwardly tapering rollsmounted above said table to rotate on a substantially horizontal axisand each havin g a spiral shaping channel registering with the channelsin said turntable, means imparting motion to said turntable and rollsand a molten mass container superposed ab re said turntable and havingdischarge outlets for delivering portions of the mass to the shapingchannels of said tur i. In a machine for making spherical icles from amolten mass, the combination or a turntable having a plurality ofcouvolute sha ing channels in its upper face 1 each havin a dischargeopening at the outer terminals thereof, inwardly tapering rolls mountedabove said table to rotate on a substantially horizontal axis and eachhavspiral shaping channel registering he channels in said turntable,means for imparting motion to said turntable and rolls and molten masscontainer superposed above said turntable and having discharge outletsfor delivering portions of th mass adjacent the inner terminals of theshaping channels of said turntable.

15. in a machine for making spherical articles from a molten mass, thecombination or a turntable having a plurality of convolute shapingchannels in its upper face and each having a, discharge at the outerterminals thereof. inwardly tapering rolls rotate on a tially horizontalaxis and each havpiral shaping channel registering the channels in saidturntable, means for imp: rti: g motion to said turntable and rolls, amolten mass container superposed above said turntable and havingdischarge out ets therein, and means for delivering portions of the massintermittently from the discharge outlets at points adjacent the innerterminals or" the shaping channels of said turntable.

16. In a machine for making spherical articles from a molten mass thecombination oi? a turr able having plurality of con volute sha channelsin its uppe face and each having a oischarge at the outer terminals throot, inwardly tapering rolls mounted above said turntable to rotate ona "antially norizontal axis and each hav- 'n a spiral shaping channelregistering with the channels in said turntable, means a parting motionto said turntable and rolls. a molten mass container superposed abovesaid turntable and having discharge 0 taerein each complemental to oneof means for delivering portions 7 ll ot the mass mtermzttently itromthe discharge outlets at points adyacent the inner terminals of theshaping channels of said turntable.

17. In a machine for making spherical articles from a molten mass, thecombination of a turntable having a convolute shaping channel in itsupper face and having a discharge opening at its outer terminal, a rollmounted above said turntable and having a spiral shaping channelregister ng with the channel of the latter, means for imparting motionto said turntable and roll, a molten mass container superposed abovesaid turntable and concentric thereto, and means for intermittentlydelivering portions of the mass from said container at a point adjacentthe inner terminal of the shaping channel of said turntable.

18. In a machine for making spherical articles from a molten mass, thecombination of a turntable having a plurality of convolute shapingchannels in its upper face and each having a discharge outlet adjacentthe outer terminals thereof, a plurality of rolls mounted above saidtable and each having a spiral shaping channel registering With thechannels of the latter, means for imparting motion to said turntable androlls, a molten mass container superposed above said turntable andconcentric thereto and having dischar e outlets one complemental to eachof said rolls, and means for intermittently delivering portions of themass at points adjacent the inner terminals of the shaping channels ofsaid turntable.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination with aturntable having shaping channels in its upper face,'tapering rollersequidistantly spaced above the turn table and extending radiallythereof, pow r means operating said turntable and said rollssimultaneously, and a feeding mechanism therefor, said feeding mechanismcomprising a molten mass container superposed concentrically With andabove said turntable and having discharge outlets one complemental toeach of said rolls, means for intermittently delivering portions of themass points adjacent the inner terminals of the shaping channels of saidturntable, and heating means for maintaining the mass in molten statethroughout the operation of said machine.

20. A feeding mechanism for machines for making spherical articlescomprising a casing, a plurality of hoppers equidistantly spaced Withinsaid casing and from the Walls thereof, means for delivering material toeach of said hoppers, means for introducing a heating medium to saidcasing, and means for discharging the material in molten state f1 omeach of said hoppers.

21. A feeding mechanism formachines for making spherical articlescomprising a circular casing, a plurality of cylindrical hoppers spacedWithin said casing and from the tall thereof, means for deliveringmaterial to each of said hoppers, means for introducing a heating mediumto said casing, and means for discharging the material in molten statefrom each of said hoppers.

22. A feeding mechanisi for machines for making spherical articlescomprising an inclosed circular casing, a plurality of cylindricalhoppers equidistantly spaced Within said casing and from the Wallsthereof, means for introducing material to each of said hoppers, meansfor introducing a heating medium to said casing for the heating of thematerial in said hoppers, and means for intermittently discharging thematerial in molten state from said hoppers.

23. A machine for making spherical articles comprising a turntable,shaping chan nels formed in the upper face of said turntable andextending radially thereof on curved parallel lines and having dischargeoutlets opening therethrough adjacent the periphery of the same,tapering rolls equidistantly spaced above the turntable and ex tendingradially at opposite sides of the axis thereof, and means for operatingsaid turntable and rolls simultaneously.

A machine for making spherical arti cles comprising a turntable, shapingchannels formed in the upper face of said turn table and extendingradially thereof on curved parallel lines and having discharge outletsopening therethrough at their outer terminals, a plurality of taperingrolls equidistantly spaced above said turntable and extending radiallythereof at opposite sides of the axis of the same, each of said rollshaving a spira iaping channel registering with the channels of saidturntable, and power means for rotating said turntable and rollssimultaneously.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature.

GABOLD J. THOMPSON.

